MOSCOW: The Russian Football Union has ruled out the Luzhniki Olympic stadium, which has more than 80,000 seats, as the venue for the World Cup play-off at the end of March against Poland.

Alexandr Alaev, general secretary of the UFR, said: “As of February 2, we cannot objectively assess the epidemic situation that will take place in Moscow at the end of March.”

Aláev said that the March 24 tie will be played at the Dynamo Moscow stadium, which has a capacity of 25,000.

He added: “The transfer of the match will allow us, even in the event of possible additional restrictions, to guarantee that the national team is not left without the necessary support at the decisive moment.”

The decision was made after consultations with the health authorities, UEFA and the federations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

The Russian coach, Valeri Karpin, had opted for the Luzhniki, venue for the World Cup final in Russia, considering that the national team needed the support of the largest number of fans.

If the Russians, who finished second in their group after losing to Croatia (1-0) in the last qualifying match, defeat the Poles, they would host the winners of the match between the Swedes and the Czechs on March 29.

Russia did not reach the World Cup in South Africa, were eliminated in Brazil in the group phase and fell in the 2018 quarter-finals in 2018 against Croatia in a penalty shootout.

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